Eyelash applicator

ABSTRACT

A small hand tool for placing a false eyelash on an eyelid and for use in adhesively positioning the eyelash to the eyelid. A Tconfigured base element is pivotally fulcrumed to a T-configured clamp lever element. The forward portion of the base element defines a crescent shape anvil portion adapted to supportingly engage the underside of a false eyelash; the forward portion of the clamp lever element defines a crescent shape clamping portion adapted to engage the upperside of the false eyelash. Spring means continuously urge the crescent shape portions convergingly and operatively to a disposition clamping an eyelash. Subsequent to adhesively positioning a false eyelash on the eyelid, the eyelash is released by finger-squeezing the base and clamping elements thereby permitting removal of the tool from the eyelash.

United States Patent Weaner [54] EYELASH APPLICATOR [72] Inventor: Edward Weaner, 7980 l-lawthome Avenue, Miami Beach, Fla. 33141 [22] Filed: April 23, 1970 [21] Appl. No.: 31,281

52 U.S.Cl ..'..132/ss.7 51 Int.Cl. ..A45d40/26 [58] FieldofSearch ..132/ss.7,s,s3,31.2,4s;

128/32 R, 321, 346, 354; 81/424; 32/63; 24/243.9 K, 243.10 M, 243.11 N, 248 HC [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,268,082 12/1941 Phillips, Sr ..132/53 2,813,533 11/1957 Fay ..132/48 3,016,059 1/1962 Hutton "132/32 R Primary Examiner-Louis G. Mancene Assistant Examiner-Gregory E. McNeill Attorney-John Cyril Malloy [57] ABSTRACT A small hand tool for placing a false eyelash on an eyelid and for use in adhesively positioning the eyelash to the eyelid. A T- configured base element is pivotally fulcrumed to a T-configured clamp lever element. The forward portion of the base element defines a crescent shape anvil portion adapted to supportingly engage the underside of a false eyelash; the forward portion of the clamp lever element defines a crescent shape clamping portion adapted to engage the upperside of the false eyelash. Spring means continuously urge the crescent shape portions convergingly and operatively to a disposition clamping an eyelash. Subsequent to adhesively positioning a false eyelash on the eyelid, the eyelash is released by finger-squeezing the base and clamping elements thereby permitting removal of the tool from the eyelash.

4 Claims, 7 Drawing Figures P'A'TENTEnJunzo m2 3, 670.742

y! 50 1/40 INVENTOR.

EYELASH APPLICATOR BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field Of The Invention Relates to female beauty-aids and eye make-up generally and particularly relates to finger operative devices for applying false eyelashes.

2. Description of the Prior Art In a typical practice in the application of false eyelashes, the eyelash may be applied by finger-manipulating the eyelash to a desired position on the eyelid and without the use of an eyelash applicator or implement. Such practice is generally undesirable in that considerable skill and dexterity may be required and not infrequently, the eyelash may be misoriented to the eyelid. The application of eyelashes may be a tedious and annoying procedure.

Various tweezerlike devices have heretofore been designed for facilitating ready application of eyelashes. A typical eyelash applicator device includes jaw-like members adapted to clampingly secure an eyelash during manipulation thereof. A user of the prior art device squeezes the clamping elements on the eyelash and while holding the eyelash in a clamped disposition, manipulates or places the eyelash on the eyelid. A disadvantage in the use of such tool, is that the users fingers may become tired as the eyelash is being placed on the eyelid and this may cause the user not to be able to be steady or accurate in the eyelash placement. Also, in the use of such prior art devices, the users attention may be on the squeezing and clamping of the eyelash and not be properly attentive to the placement of the locating of the eyelash on the eyelid.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The eyelash applicator tool of the instant invention is easy to use; a user of negligible skill or practice may use the tool in a deft manner and in proper application of eyelashes. The tool of this invention operates somewhat oppositely of the typical eyelash applicator tool in that an eyelash, preparatory to being placed on an eyelid, is clampingly secured by spring pressure of the tool and the user thereof is not required to finger-grip the eyelash in tweezer-like manner. Such action permits a user to load the tool with an eyelash and then give undivided attention to the placement of the eyelash on the eyelid; this admits of more accurate placing of the eyelash. After placement of the eyelash, a lever element on the tool issqueezed to permit disengaging the tool from the eyelash.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG. I is an environmental in-use representation of the eyelash applicator tool of the instant invention;

FIG. 2 is a of the ofthe tool;

FIG. 3 is a bottom view thereof;

FIG. 4 is a front view of the tool;

FIG. 5 is a transverse section taken as on the line 5--5 of FIG. 2',

FIG. 6 is alongitudinal sectional view taken as on the line 66 of FIG. 2 but showing the clamping lever part of the tool in a disposition clampingly supporting a false eyelash (shown also in section); and

FIG. 7 is a view similar to FIG. 6 but illustrating the clamping lever of the tool in a raised disposition and disengaged from the eyelash.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT The eyelash applicator tool of the instant invention is designated by reference character 12 and primarily includes a T-shape base element 14 including a stock portion 16 and an anvil portion 18; a T-shape clamp lever element 20 including a reach portion 22 and a clamping portion 24; pivot means 26 pivotally fulcruming the clamp lever element 20 on a intermediate portion of the base element 14; and spring means 28 operably interposed between the base and clamp lever elements 14, 20 and resiliently urging the clamping portion 24 of the lever toward the anvil portion 18 of the base element 14. For purposes of clarity in description, the tool 12 will be described in a horizontal disposition, as illustrated in the drawings. Also, the eyelash applicator will be considered as having forward and rearward directions respectively corresponding with leftward and rightward as viewed in the drawings.

The base and clamp lever elements 14, 20 preferably each are integrally formed of semi-resilient plastic material and each is preferably configured as shown in the drawings. The S- shape reach portion 22 of the clamp lever element 20 preferably is in vertical coplanar arrangement with the stock portion 16 of base element 14. The intermediate portion of the clamp lever reach portion 22 preferably is freely but snugly received in an upwardly opening slot 30 formed longitudinally in the intermediate portion of the base element stock 16. The intermediate portion of the base element stock 16, defining slot 30 preferably includes substantially a bottom wall 32 and opposingly arranged side walls 34, 34' arranged respectively leftward and rightward of the longitudinal cen terline of the base element stock 16.

The pivot means 26 pivotally supporting the clamp lever reach portion 22 on the base element stock 16 preferably includes two trunnion tits 36, 36 protruding oppositely from the intermediate portion of the clamp lever reach 22, and includes an opposing pair of socket recesses 38, 38 formed respectively in the side walls 34, 34 of the base element stock portion 16. The intermediate portion of the clamp lever reach 22 is operatively pivotally supported in the slot 30 with the trunnion tits 36, 36' of the clamp lever element 20 being pivotally received respectively in the socket recesses 38, 38' of the base element 14. The convergingly represented arrows 40, 40 in FIG. 7 illustrate the operation of the applicator tool 12 and the raising or separating of the clamping portion 24 of the lever element 20 from the anvil portion 18 of the base element 14: Finger-gripping the rearward arm section 42 of the clamp lever reach portion 22 and the rearward extension 44 of the base element stock portion 16 separate the clamping portion 24 of the lever element 20 from the base element anvil portion 18 and permits engagement or disengagement of an eyelash work item W.

In the fabrication of the eyelash applicator 12 or in the joining of the base and clamp lever elements 14, 20, the base and lever elements are pressed together as shown by the arrows 46, 46 in FIG. 6; the intermediate portion of the clamp lever reach 22 is pivotally locked in place in the slot 30 of the base element by snap-lock engaging the trunnion tits 36, 36' in the socket recesses 38, 38; the semi-resilient character of the material constituting the base element stock 16 permits the side walls 34, 34 thereof to be spread slightly for passage of the trunnion tits 36, 36' as the clamp lever is snap-lock in place in the slot structure 30 of the base element. If desired, the socket recesses 38, 38' each may be of substantially inverted U-form and may intersect a relieved or cut-out portion 48 in the bottom wall 32 defining the bottom of the base element slot 30. The aperture or relieved portion 48 adjacent the pivot axis of the tool permits the side walls 34, 34 to be spread more easily in the joining of the base and clamp lever elements 14, 20 in the fabrication of the tool,

The spring means 28, operably urging the clamping portion 24 of lever 20 toward the anvil portion 18 of the base element 14, preferably includes a spring projection 50 integrally formed on the rearward arm 42 of the clamp lever reach portion 22. The spring projection 50 projects downwardly from adjacent the distal end of the lever rearward arm 42 and generally toward the pivot axis of the lever. The distal extremity of the spring projection 50 ridingly continuously engages the upper surface 52 of the bottom wall 32 of the slot structure 30 formed in the base element stock 16. The resilient character of the material forming the spring projection 50 resiliently urges the clamp lever pivotally to a disposition engaging the clamp lever portion 24 with the anvil portion 18 of the base element.

The clamping portion 24 of lever element and the anvil portion 18 of the base element 14 each are generally crescent shape, corresponding generally to the curved configuration of the base portion B of an eyelash work item W. The anvil portion 18 defines an upwardly opening longitudinally curved channel 54 symmetrically arranged of the base element stock portion 16 and terminating oppositely in channel end portions 56, 56'. The channel 54 is defined in part by a transversely concave surface area 58 curving upwardly and outwardly and terminating in a continuous edge 60 intersecting a horizontal plane (imaginary plane) intersecting the vertical plane of movement of the clamp lever element 20. The clamping portion 24 of the clamp lever is provided with a longitudinally curved transversely convex surface 62, oriented downwardly and adapted for mating contiguity with the upwardly opening channel surface 58 of the base element anvil portion 18. The lower section of the clamping portion 24 of the lever is adapted to be operably received in the channel 54 and with the opposite end portions 64, 64 of the clamping portion 24 lying contiguous respectively the opposite channel end portions 56, 56 of the base element anvil portion.

In use of the applicator device 12, the user squeezes the rearward arm and rearward extension portions 42, 44 together thereby raising the clamping portion 24 as shown in FIG. 7. The user may then arrange an eyelash W interposedly between the clamping portion 14 and anvil portion 18, in a horizontal right-side up disposition; the user may then release the fingersqueezing pressure on the arm and extension portions 42, 44 of the tool thereby permitting the spring projection 50 to pivotally move the lever 20 to a disposition clamping the eyelash as shown in FIG. 6 and with the eyelash hairs H being firmly held between the convex surface 62 of the clamp lever element and the channel edge 60 of the base element anvil portion (see FIG. 6). The tool, as loaded in this fashion, may then be manipulated to a disposition as shown in FIG. 1 and the undersurface of the base portion B of the eyelash W adhesively engaged with the rim portion of the users eyelid. Subsequent to the adhesive placement of the eyelash to the eyelid, the user squeezes the rearward arm and stock extension portions 42, 44 together thereby lifting the lever element clamp portion 24 and permitting disengagement of the tool from the eyelash.

Although the instant invention is described in what is presently conceived as a preferred embodiment, it will be un derstood that various changes and modification in structure may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:

l, A two-piece eyelash applicator for use in applying an artificial eyelash to an eyelid comprising:

A. a one-piece molded plastic base element having a recessed generally T-shaped working surface with an opposite gripping surface to be gripped by the thumb of a user and including,

a. An elongate stock portion and a pair of spaced longitudinally extending generally parallel wall portions on the working surface, and

b. a transverse anvil portion symmetrical with respect to and at one end of said stock portion with opposite portions which extend outwardly and sway from said one end of the stock portion defining a fair curve the working surface of said anvil portion having a shallow longitudinally extending continuous narrow channel with generally uniformly curved side walls and floor defining an eyelash engaging concave anvil surface; and

B. a one-piece molded clamp lever element having a generally T-shaped working surface with an opposite gripping surface to be gripped by the finger of a user and including,

a. an elongate reach portion having an intermediate portion of a transverse dimension less than that of the space between said wall portions and nested in close free disposition between said wall portions with the working surfaces confronting one another,

b. a lever portion extending from said intermediate por tion longitudinally and away from said working surfaces, said intermediate portion comprising a dog leg bend between said wall portions,

c. a transverse clamping portion symmetrical at the end of said reach portion with opposite portions which extend outwardly and away from the end of said reach portion defining a fair curve of a radius of curvature substantially the same as that of the longitudinal centerline of the channel,

. the working surface of said clamping portion comprising a clamping surface generally convex as seen in cross section and normally nested in said channel in mating contiguity with the working surface in the channel of said anvil portion,

C. pivot means pivotally fulcruming said intermediate portion and said wall portions, said pivot means comprising two small oppositely projecting trunnion tits on said inter mediate portion and two opposing socket recesses in said wall portions generally receiving respectively the trunnion tits and pivotally fulcruming said clamp lever element to said base element for opening and closing said channel by pivotally lifting the clamping surface in response to squeezing pressure on said gripping surfaces of said base element and the gripping surface of said lever portion,

D. said clamp lever including an integral spring means resiliently constrained between the working surfaces of said lever portion and said base element on that side of the fulcrum of said lever element opposite to said clamping surface, and said spring means comprising a leaf spring projection of resilient material and cantileverly supported on the working surface of said lever element, said spring projection being obliquely arranged relative to a radius of the arc of movement of the lever element and ridingly engaging the stock portion of said base element and continuously urging said elements into a normal position with the clamping surface of the clamp lever element in the channel and yieldable upon said squeezing of the lever relative to the base element.

2. An eyelash application for use in applying an artificial eyelash to an eyelid comprising:

a base element having an elongate stock portion and an anvil portion lined transversely symmetrical of one end of said stock portion and defining an eyelash engaging anvil surface, said anvil portion having a shallow channel surface of uniformly curved longitudinal extension and having channel edges generally intersecting a plane lying perpendicular to the plane of movement of said lever element; a clamp lever element having a reach portion and a clamping portion lying transversely symmetrically of one end of said reach portion and defining an eyelash engaging clamping surface of configuration generally complementary to the anvil surface of said base element, said lever element clamping portion defining a clamping surface of uniformly curved longitudinal extension of convex transverse surface configuration intersecting a plane line perpendicular to the plane of movement of said lever element, the relative size and shape of the curved shallow channel of said base element and the curved clamping surface of said clamp lever element permitting mating contiguity thereof; pivot means pivotally fulcruming said clamp lever element on the stock portion of said base element at a disposition whereat the clamping surface of said lever element is in pivotal mating contiguity with the anvil surface of said base element; and spring means operably interposed between said base element and said clamp lever element and continuously urging said clamping surface of said lever element toward the anvil surface of said base element, said spring means comprising a leaf projection of resilient material integral with said clamp lever and resiliently constrained between said lever element and said base element on that side of the fulcrum of said lever element opposite of said clamping surface and cantileverly supported on said lever element and disposed remote from the clamping surface of said lever element, said spring projection being obliquely arranged relative to a radius of the arc of movement of the lever element and ridingly engaging the stock portion of said base element and continuously urging said base element anvil portion and said lever element clamping portion to mating engagement.

3. The eyelash applicator as set forth in claim 2 wherein the stock portion of said base element has a pair of longitudinal wall portions defined in a recess generally longitudinally extending of said stock portion, said wall portions being parallel and spaced apart, defining a seat and the intermediate portion of said clamp lever reach portion adjacent the fulcrum pivot axis is in said seat, said seat and intermediate portion being configured for close free disposition between the wall portions of said intermediate portion and with said clamp lever element being fulcrumed between the base element wall portions.

4. An eyelash applicator as set forth :in claim 3 wherein said clamp lever reach portion is provided with two small oppositely projecting trunnion tits and said wall portions of said base element stock portion defines opposingly arranged socket recesses operably receiving respectively the trunnion tits and pivotally fulcruming said clamp bar element on said base ele' ment. 

1. A two-piece eyelash applicator for use in applying an artificial eyelash to an eyelid comprising: A. a one-piece molded plastic base element having a recessed generally T-shaped working surface with an opposite gripping surface to be gripped by the thumb of a user and including, a. An elongate stock portion and a pair of spaced longitudinally extending generally parallel wall portions on the working surface, and b. a transverse anvil portion symmetrical with respect to and at one end of said stock portion with opposite portions which extend outwardly and sway from said one end of the stock portion defining a fair curve the working surface of said anvil portion having a shallow longitudinally extending continuous narrow channel with generally uniformly curved side walls and floor defining an eyelash engaging concave anvil surface; and B. a one-piece molded clamp lever element having a generally Tshaped working surface with an opposite gripping surface to be gripped by the finger of a user and including, a. an elongate reach portion having an intermediate portion of a transverse dimension less than that of the space between said wall portions and nested in close free disposition between said wall portions with the working surfaces confronting one another, b. a lever portion extending from said intermediate portion longitudinally and away from said working surfaces, said intermediate portion comprising a dog leg bend between said wall portions, c. a transverse clamping portion symmetrical at the end of said reach portion with opposite portions which extend outwardly and away from the end of said reach portion defining a fair curve of a radius of curvature substantially the same as that of the longitudinal centerline of the channel, d. the working surface of said clamping portion comprising a clamping surface generally convex as seen in cross section and normally nested in said channel in mating contiguity with the working surface in the channel of said anvil portion, C. pivot means pivotally fulcruming said intermediate portion and said wall portions, said pivot means comprising two small oppositely projecting trunnion tits on said inter mediate portion and two opposing socket recesses in said wall portions generally receiving respectively the trunnion tits and pivotally fulcruming said clamp lever element to said base element for opening and closing said channel by pivotally lifting the clamping surface in response to squeezing pressure on said gripping surfaces of said base element and the gripping surface of said lever portion, D. said clamp lever including an integral spring means resiliently constrained between the working surfaces of said lever portion and said base element on that side of the fulcrum of said lever element opposite to said clamping surface, and said spring means comprising a leaf spring projection of resilient material and cantileverly supported on the working surface of said lever element, said spring projection being obliquely arranged relative to a radius of the arc of movement of the lever element and ridingly engaging the stock portion of said base element and continuously urging said elements into a normal position with the clamping surface of the clamp lever element in the channel and yieldable upon said squeezing of the lever relative to the base element.
 2. An eyelash application for use in applying an artificial eyelash to an eyelid comprising: a base element having an elongate stock portion and an anvil portion lined transversely symmetrical of one end of said stock portion and defining an eyelash engaging anvil surface, said anvil portion having a shallow channel surface of uniformly curved longitudinal extension and having channel edges generally intersecting a plane lying perpendicular to the plane of movement of said lever element; a clamp lEver element having a reach portion and a clamping portion lying transversely symmetrically of one end of said reach portion and defining an eyelash engaging clamping surface of configuration generally complementary to the anvil surface of said base element, said lever element clamping portion defining a clamping surface of uniformly curved longitudinal extension of convex transverse surface configuration intersecting a plane line perpendicular to the plane of movement of said lever element, the relative size and shape of the curved shallow channel of said base element and the curved clamping surface of said clamp lever element permitting mating contiguity thereof; pivot means pivotally fulcruming said clamp lever element on the stock portion of said base element at a disposition whereat the clamping surface of said lever element is in pivotal mating contiguity with the anvil surface of said base element; and spring means operably interposed between said base element and said clamp lever element and continuously urging said clamping surface of said lever element toward the anvil surface of said base element, said spring means comprising a leaf projection of resilient material integral with said clamp lever and resiliently constrained between said lever element and said base element on that side of the fulcrum of said lever element opposite of said clamping surface and cantileverly supported on said lever element and disposed remote from the clamping surface of said lever element, said spring projection being obliquely arranged relative to a radius of the arc of movement of the lever element and ridingly engaging the stock portion of said base element and continuously urging said base element anvil portion and said lever element clamping portion to mating engagement.
 3. The eyelash applicator as set forth in claim 2 wherein the stock portion of said base element has a pair of longitudinal wall portions defined in a recess generally longitudinally extending of said stock portion, said wall portions being parallel and spaced apart, defining a seat and the intermediate portion of said clamp lever reach portion adjacent the fulcrum pivot axis is in said seat, said seat and intermediate portion being configured for close free disposition between the wall portions of said intermediate portion and with said clamp lever element being fulcrumed between the base element wall portions.
 4. An eyelash applicator as set forth in claim 3 wherein said clamp lever reach portion is provided with two small oppositely projecting trunnion tits and said wall portions of said base element stock portion defines opposingly arranged socket recesses operably receiving respectively the trunnion tits and pivotally fulcruming said clamp bar element on said base element. 